Nearly a century after this classic was written, the track continues to be reinterpreted by various artists
It was on a rainy night in 1939 that the composer from Minas Gerais, Ary Barroso, composed "Aquarela do Brasil," a song that symbolizes Brazilian identity and aesthetics globally. Even more than eighty years after it was released on a continental scale by Carmen Miranda, the song still carries the aura of a starting point for the "internationalization" of Brazilian music, further enhanced later by Bossa Nova and its "Girl from Ipanema" (among many other songs).
The song also marked the creation of a new genre, the samba-exaltação. Although it has aged with the approval of a dictatorial government, considering it was created in total synergy with Getúlio Vargas' mandate, the song has not lost its vibrancy or sophistication. Even almost a century later, "Aquarela do Brasil" remains modern and captivating, especially for enthusiasts of Brazilian music abroad.
It's no wonder that the track has gained and continues to gain many other versions. On WePlay, the first platform for streaming Brazilian music shows, clips, and documentaries, you can watch different interpretations, such as the Zimbo Trio Sinfônico with a completely instrumental arrangement, the group Sururu Na Roda with an energetic performance straight from Japan, and also a more intimate version by the classic São Paulo group Demônios da Garoa, recorded in the Showlivre Studio.
What we can expect is that "Aquarela do Brasil" will live on and (re)live for many more years, perhaps even eternally.